Top 5 “golden” STEM majors in the U.S.

Studying abroad with many students is the door opening the opportunity to pursue your passion and the opportunity to have a job with a desirable salary. 

Let’s take a look at the top majors in the U.S. with College Compass regarding high recruitment opportunities and attractive salaries.

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1. Software Developer

The need to improve technology and develop new areas of specialization caused the computer science field to grow quickly. As a trendy profession with hundreds of thousands of dollars in salary and attractive benefits, software engineering is always at the top of the most chosen careers by students in Computer Science, according to U.S. News.

A software engineer applies mathematical analysis and computer science principles to the design and development of computer software. Good software developers are creative, have the technical expertise to execute innovative ideas, problem-solving, analytical skills, and out-of-the-box thinking. A software engineer can develop many types of software, such as operating systems, computer games, middleware, business applications, and network control systems.

In the US, the average salary of a software engineer can range from US$60,000 to over US$100,000 a year, depending on qualifications. The most famous school among US universities for the technology program is MIT – Massachusetts Institute of Technology, followed by household names like the University of Berkeley, University of Washington,… On average, students studying this major will have to spend from US$30,000 to US$50,000 at the top schools mentioned.

>> Explore 3 Best Universities for Computer Science in the U.S.

2. BioChemist

Biochemistry delves into the chemical processes of living organisms. Biochemists apply their knowledge of chemicals and perform various chemical techniques and experiments to solve biological questions.

Biochemistry bachelor’s programs often combine math, chemistry, and biology subjects at the undergraduate level. Students can take molecular genetics, organic chemistry, analytical geometry and physics classes, and specialized research seminars and work on long-term research projects.

Also, as a hot major in the STEM field, the average salary of a biochemist can range from US$65,000 to over US$130,000 a year. Most of the top schools in the U.S. have undergraduate programs in biochemistry, including Harvard University (US$45,000/year) and Stanford University (US$46,000/year).

3. Data Scientist 

Data scientists can be trained in a variety of fields, including engineering, math, computer science, business, and the natural or social sciences. Recently, not only major universities but colleges have also started to offer degrees and diplomas in data science and online training and programs to teach data science.

Typically, a data scientist’s role includes processing large amounts of data and analyzing them using methods and technical tools. The data will then be communicated to leadership teams to assist the decision-making process. Data scientists also leverage Machine Learning and AI (artificial intelligence), and programming language knowledge such as Java, Python, SQL, Big data Hadoop, and data mining. They require excellent communication skills to convey their data discovery insights to the business effectively.

The average salary of a Data Scientist in the U.S. can range from US$70,000 to over US$125,000 a year, which is not far behind other STEM careers. Also, a branch of the Computer Science group, Data Science, is invested in teaching at most major universities. The top is Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon and, of course, Massachusetts University of Technology (MIT).

4. Orthodontist 

Orthodontists focus on correcting dental and jaw abnormalities such as straightening teeth and correcting problems such as excess or missing teeth. This is also the highest paying profession among STEM majors on the U.S. News rankings, with an average salary of more than US$200,000.

Orthodontists go through more than a decade of learning and training before becoming licensed and certified to practice. Typically, an orthodontist must complete four years of college, four years of graduate school in dentistry, and an additional two to three years of full-time residency to become an orthodontist. Candidates must take the Entry Test Dental school lasts four hours to enroll in dental school in the United States.

The orthodontic major always have fierce competition because of the attractive salary and high recruitment demand. According to estimates by U.S. News, only 4% of students in this major are admitted to internship programs across the United States. If you want to pursue this major, the top schools where students can apply for a master’s degree program in a major are the University of Rochester ($US40,000), the University of Pennsylvania (US$70,000) and Boston University (US$80,000). 

5. Psychologist

A psychologist is an expert who can advise individuals, businesses, and government organizations to improve decision-making, manage anxiety and stress, and increase productivity in work and life. Students’ interest in psychology is no longer confined to the medical field, as organizations increasingly recognize the importance of mental health in the well-being of employees and families.

The main difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist is that a psychologist does not need to have a medical doctor’s degree. While both focus on mental health, psychologists often offer advice, solutions and treatment plans based on psychotherapy and rarely prescribe drugs.

Stanford University is the best destination for students looking to pursue a career in psychology, with the University of California – Berkeley and Harvard closely following. The current average salary of graduate students ranges from US$70,000 to US$114,000, not inferior to the fields mentioned above have.

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